Alliant Energy took to social media Sunday night to apologize to customers for higher-than-expected bills.

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The company said the bills are accurate, noting that this summer was hotter than usual and customers used more energy than normal.

Alliant also said a new billing system sent a lot of estimated bills to customers, which caught them off guard. Typically, the company contacts users when that happens, but Alliant didn't have the manpower.

"This is unacceptable,” Cedar Rapids resident Brook Hanks told KCRG-TV. “How can somebody do this to their customer?”

Hanks’s bill stated she had until October 13th to pay $584.

“I do think it's interesting that they are apologizing to everybody,” Alliant customer Sara Drzycimski said.

In Huxley, Drzycimski's bill is almost twice as much as usually.

“I think our highest one was, like, $199, and I was kind of like, ‘Whoa, that's a lot,” Drzycimski said.

Alliant said it will help customers come up with payment plans. It will also be waiving late fees for affected users.

"Unfortunately, those estimated bills were based off of last summer where it was a lot cooler,” Alliant Energy spokesperson Justin Foss said. “We apologize for that and we're doing everything we can to change that.”

Hanks said Alliant’s response gave little consolation to customers like her, who thought they paid their bills in full.

“They definitely should have caught this before three months after bills are being paid,” Hanks said. “They sent me a bill, I paid my bill, and I thought it was OK.”

Alliant customers will now have 12 months to pay the higher bills. Call 1-800-ALLIANT to set up the payment plan.